When he was seven years old, his mother fell ill. Elders moved Sam into the home of another family. While in their care, his mother died. For years, he was moved between homes, living with different families, overseas students and “stragglers”, before eventually being placed into Jonathan Cannon’s care in 1991. “Living with Jon was hell,” Sam Gibson said. “I hated every minute of it. I went to school with teachers, I came home to teachers. It was a 24/7 prison.” When he left, at
age 18, he was issued a warning from Noel Cannon, Jonathan’s father and then-principal of the school: “If you ever mention anything that goes on in here, I’ll come down on you like a tonne of bricks.” Now 52, Sam said living in the Redeemer community and being moved between households has had a permanent impact on his life. “Nowhere has ever been a home for me,” he said. “I have never found a place where I can say I am at peace.” Sam has
told his story before, 20 years ago in The Sydney Morning Herald, Parramatta Sun and Nine’s Sunday program. He is furious and heartbroken the sirens he sounded did not protect the generation after him, including his cousin. “I am not making this shit up,” Sam said. “I am glad this is coming out, but I am getting flashbacks of everything that occurred. “I just want individuals held to account. I don’t think the school is a healthy environment for students.” For one mother, who thought
about leaving church, the prospect of her sons living with Cannon was a deal-breaker. When the elders began discussing moving one of her sons into their care, her stomach dropped. “It was suddenly going to be real,” she said. “I realised I could lose one of them to Jon. Once they go there, they aren’t yours any more.” The boy who called the police Another set of parents, who left in October 2021, and whose two sons were placed in two different elders’ homes, described
feeling as if they had no choice. The parents, both teachers at Redeemer who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, were called into Jonathan’s office one day and told their 14-year-old son had been suspended and was moving into an elder’s home. The conversation was abrupt, and at the end Cannon casually mentioned the parents’ other son, in his 20s, would also be moving into another elder’s house. “We were so shocked we didn’t even know what to say,” the father
said. They spent six months trying to get their sons back. They were particularly worried about their younger son, who was then 14 or 15. “Every time he saw us he would cry,” the father said. “We would tell him we are still trying to get him out.” At one point, their son called the police and told them he was being held against his will. When police spoke to the boys’ father, he told police that his son was in the elder’s house with
his permission. “I was a member of the church and I did not want the police to investigate the church,” the father said. “I stood up for the church. It was stupid. I wouldn’t do that now.” The family left the church in 2021. As teachers at the school, they received a small stipend, no salary and no superannuation. They rebuilt their lives from nothing. They speak out because “the truth needs to be exposed”. “We have seen the damage that Redeemer does both in
our own family and in other families, in terms of separating children from parents, infantilising people, the damage caused when people leave, and that causes a split between the members of the family.” Redeemer said in a statement: “On the rare occasion when someone decides that they do not wish to continue to live our Christian vocation, we are naturally disappointed, but we wish them the best for their future.” Yet, the majority of those who leave Redeemer Baptist Church do so with empty pockets
and a mountain of fear. With $20 in his pocket and $7 on his Opal card Adam Gibson left Redeemer at the age of 18. He walked out with a guitar, a $20 note, $7 on his concession Opal card, some clothes and a box of trophies. His only form of ID was a PDF of his birth certificate – the church refused to hand over his original – and, until this week, he had no photos of himself as a child. He was terrified.
Before leaving, the church had warned him he would be in jail within three months. Instead, ex-members of the community reached out, giving him money, buying him a SIM card, work boots and a heater for his room. For years, he lived with a friend, their parents taking him in. “I remember crying on my bed, thinking these are the people that they were saying were evil and the devil, and here they are giving me money to help me survive,” Adam said. Slowly he
rebuilt his life. He has his own family now. “I couldn’t imagine putting anyone through what I went through,” Adam said. “It may not have been illegal, but it was unnecessarily cruel.“ Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts
Redeemer Baptist Church, Jonathan Cannon, Noel Cannon, Sam Gibson, Adam Gibson, Opal card, police, elders' homes, ex-members
Wait so the principal warned him not to talk?? That’s insane.
Sounds like some church stuff where nobody listens until years later. Also “sirens” didn’t protect anybody?? That line alone makes me mad. I don’t even know what’s going on with the police calls.
If the cops were called and it was still allowed, then what’s the point. Like how do you move a kid “between households” and expect that to be normal? I feel like they’re all acting like it’s his word only but also that warning… that’s pretty telling. Kinda confused though—are we talking about Australia or New South Wales or is this in the US somehow?
Bro this is exactly why I don’t trust these “community” churches. They take kids in and suddenly it’s like house arrest but with scripture. Noel Cannon coming down on him like a tonne of bricks… that sounds like cover up 101. Empty pockets too?? Not sure what that means but I’m guessing someone got paid off or something. Anyway hold them accountable, don’t bury it like they always do.